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We've all got old photos lying around the house, waiting for that day when someone actually puts them in albums. But with a bit of effort, you can turn your boxes of photos into personal pieces of art.

Here are some ideas:

Frame your favourite photos and hang them on the wall instead of on the mantlepiece. Hang them in straight lines horizontally or vertically or in a patchwork pattern.

Tickets, money or memorabilia from a special trip can be put in the frame with your photos

To save money on picture frames, and to save putting holes in your walls, why not use a bathroom organiser. It may not seem an obvious choice but it does the job – simply slide your photos into the plastic pockets.

Make the most of your coffee table. Get a piece of glass cut to size to fit the top of your table, and then arrange a collage of photos to go underneath.

Got some Polaroids? The cheapest and easiest way to hang photos is to punch some holes in the top and bottom white boarders. Thread a length of ball chain through the bottom hole of the first photo and the top hole of the second. Fasten the ball chain closed and repeat for each photo. Attach the top photo to a bulldog clip, and hang from a picture rail with a long piece of ribbon.

Things to consider

Never cut up an old photo if you don't have the negative.

Always write names and dates on the back of photos – you will forget those details.

Update the photos on display regularly. This should be considered a work in progress.